A person commits the criminal offense of receiving stolen property if the person buys or receives any property knowing that it has been stolen. Laws regarding receiving stolen property vary from state to state and some states also make it a crime to receive property obtained by extortion, or to conceal, sell, withhold, or aid in concealing, selling, or withholding any property from the owner, knowing the property was stolen or obtained by extortion, for example.

The criminal offense of receiving stolen property may be charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony in many states (a wobbler offense)—usually depending on the value of the stolen property.

Laws regarding receiving stolen property are generally located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Wisconsin, the crime of receiving stolen property is addressed under Wisconsin Statutes Section 943.34. A person is guilty of this offense if they intentionally receive or conceal stolen property, knowing it to be stolen, or if they take possession of property they should reasonably believe to be stolen. The severity of the charge, whether it is a misdemeanor or a felony, typically depends on the value of the property received. For property valued at $2,500 or less, the offense is generally classified as a misdemeanor. If the value exceeds $2,500, the offense can be charged as a felony, with the degree of the felony increasing with the value of the property. Additionally, Wisconsin law also covers the receipt of property obtained by threat or extortion. The specific penalties and classifications are detailed in the statutes, which also provide guidance on factors such as prior convictions and the circumstances of the offense that may influence the severity of the charges and penalties.